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    The origins and outbreak of the Second World War explained

    This section focuses on the origins and outbreak of the Second World War, examining the development of tension through Hitler's aims, Allied reactions, the escalation of tension in Europe, and the final breakdown of peace leading to the invasion of Poland in September 1939.

    What to demonstrate

    1. Hitler's aims and Allied reactions (Dollfuss Affair, the Saar, rearmament, Stresa Front, Anglo-German Naval Agreement)
    2. Escalation of tension (remilitarisation of the Rhineland, Mussolini, Axis, Anti-Comintern Pact, Anschluss)
    3. Appeasement (reasons for and against, Sudeten Crisis, Munich, ending of appeasement)
    Show all 5 objectives
    1. Outbreak of war (occupation of Czechoslovakia, role of the USSR, Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland, September 1939)
    2. Responsibility for the outbreak of war (Hitler, Stalin, Chamberlain)

    The origins and outbreak of the Second World War exam tips

    Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)

    The origins and outbreak of the Second World War (1939) stem from the harsh Treaty of Versailles, the failures of the League of Nations, and the aggressive expansionist policies of Nazi Germany. Key events include Hitler's remilitarisation of the Rhineland, the Anschluss with Austria, the Munich Agreement, and the Nazi-Soviet Pact, culminating in Britain and France declaring war on Germany after the invasion of Poland.

    Topic Overview

    The origins and outbreak of the Second World War are a central topic in AQA GCSE History, exploring how the Treaty of Versailles, the failures of the League of Nations, and the aggressive foreign policy of Nazi Germany led to global conflict. This period (1919-1939) is crucial for understanding the causes of war, the role of appeasement, and the diplomatic manoeuvres that ultimately failed to prevent conflict. Students must analyse the interwar years, including the impact of the Great Depression, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and the policy of appeasement.

    This topic is not just about memorising dates and events; it requires critical evaluation of key decisions and their consequences. For example, students must assess whether the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh, whether the League of Nations was doomed from the start, and whether appeasement was a reasonable policy or a fatal mistake. The Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 is a pivotal moment, as it directly enabled the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of war. Understanding these complexities helps students develop skills in source analysis, causation, and historical interpretation.

    In the wider context of the GCSE course, this topic connects to the study of international relations, the interwar period, and the nature of totalitarian regimes. It also provides a foundation for understanding the course of the Second World War itself, including key turning points and the eventual Allied victory. Mastery of this topic requires a clear chronological framework, knowledge of key individuals (Hitler, Chamberlain, Stalin), and the ability to explain how multiple factors combined to make war inevitable by September 1939.

    Key Concepts
    • →Appeasement: The policy of making concessions to aggressive powers (e.g., Hitler) to avoid war, notably followed by Britain and France in the 1930s.
    • →Treaty of Versailles (1919): The peace settlement after WWI that imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations, creating resentment.
    • →League of Nations: An international organisation set up after WWI to maintain peace, but it failed due to lack of US membership, absence of an army, and the inability to enforce decisions.
    • →Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939): A non-aggression treaty between Germany and the USSR with a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe, enabling the invasion of Poland.
    • →Anschluss: The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, which violated the Treaty of Versailles and was a key step in Hitler's expansionist policy.
    Marking Points
    • Hitler's aims and Allied reactions (Dollfuss Affair, the Saar, rearmament, Stresa Front, Anglo-German Naval Agreement)
    • Escalation of tension (remilitarisation of the Rhineland, Mussolini, Axis, Anti-Comintern Pact, Anschluss)
    • Appeasement (reasons for and against, Sudeten Crisis, Munich, ending of appeasement)
    • Outbreak of war (occupation of Czechoslovakia, role of the USSR, Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland, September 1939)
    • Responsibility for the outbreak of war (Hitler, Stalin, Chamberlain)
    Examiner Tips
    • 💡Use specific dates and events to show chronological understanding, e.g., 1936 Rhineland, 1938 Munich, 1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact. This demonstrates precise knowledge.
    • 💡When answering 'explain' questions, always give reasons and link them to consequences. For example, explain why appeasement was followed and then how it led to war.
    • 💡For source-based questions, remember to analyse the source's origin, purpose, and content, and cross-reference with your own knowledge to evaluate its usefulness.
    Common Mistakes
    • Misconception: The Second World War started because of the invasion of Poland alone. Correction: While the invasion of Poland was the immediate trigger, the war was the result of long-term factors such as the Treaty of Versailles, the failure of the League of Nations, and appeasement.
    • Misconception: Appeasement was solely Chamberlain's policy and was universally condemned. Correction: Appeasement was supported by many in Britain and France, and it had logical reasons (e.g., avoiding war, economic issues). It was only later seen as a failure.
    • Misconception: The Nazi-Soviet Pact meant that Germany and the USSR were allies. Correction: The pact was a temporary non-aggression agreement, not a true alliance. It was pragmatic for both sides, but they remained ideologically opposed.
    Revision Plan
    1. 1Week 1: Focus on the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Create a timeline of key events from 1919 to 1933, noting how each contributed to tensions.
    2. 2Week 2: Study Hitler's foreign policy steps: remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936), Anschluss (1938), Sudetenland and Munich Agreement (1938), and the occupation of Czechoslovakia (1939). Understand the policy of appeasement and its reasons.
    3. 3Week 3: Analyse the Nazi-Soviet Pact and the invasion of Poland. Practice exam questions on causation and evaluation, using past papers and mark schemes.
    4. 4Week 4: Revise key terms and concepts, create flashcards for dates and events, and attempt a full timed essay to improve exam technique.
    Exam Question Types
    • 📋Explain questions (4-6 marks): These ask you to explain a cause or consequence, e.g., 'Explain why the League of Nations failed to keep peace in the 1930s.' Use PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) and include specific examples.
    • 📋Source analysis questions (8 marks): You will be given a source and asked to evaluate its usefulness or message. Use the source's content, provenance, and your own knowledge to assess its value.
    • 📋Essay questions (16 marks): These require a balanced argument, e.g., 'How far was the Treaty of Versailles responsible for the outbreak of WWII?' Structure with an introduction, paragraphs on different factors, and a conclusion that directly answers the question.
    Command Word Expectations (AQA)
    Explain

    Give reasons or causes for an event or development. You must provide specific evidence and link it to the question. For example, 'Explain why appeasement was followed' requires reasons such as fear of war, economic issues, and the belief that Versailles was unfair.

    Evaluate

    Make a judgement about the importance or significance of something. You must consider different perspectives and come to a conclusion. For example, 'Evaluate the importance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in causing WWII' requires you to weigh it against other factors like appeasement and the Treaty of Versailles.

    Describe

    Give a detailed account of what happened. You need to include specific facts, dates, and events. For example, 'Describe the events leading to the outbreak of WWII' would require a chronological narrative from the Rhineland to Poland.

    How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
    Pitfall: Students often confuse the policy of appeasement with weakness or solely blame Chamberlain, ignoring the multiple factors that influenced British and French decisions.
    ❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):Appeasement was a bad policy because it let Hitler get away with everything. Chamberlain was weak and should have stopped him earlier.
    Example improved answer:Appeasement was a policy of making concessions to dictatorial powers to avoid war, pursued by Britain and France in the 1930s. It was influenced by memories of the First World War, public opinion against war, economic problems, and the belief that the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh. However, it failed because Hitler's ambitions were unlimited, and each concession (e.g., the Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland) only increased his appetite. By March 1939, the occupation of Czechoslovakia showed that appeasement had failed, leading Britain and France to guarantee Poland and ultimately declare war.
    Examiner Tip: Use specific examples (Rhineland, Anschluss, Munich) and explain both the reasons for appeasement and why it failed. Avoid one-sided judgements; show balance and use evidence.
    Pitfall: Students often overlook the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939) and its role in enabling the outbreak of war.
    ❌ Weak Answer (Loses Marks):The Nazi-Soviet Pact was a surprise alliance between Germany and Russia, so they could both invade Poland.
    Example improved answer:The Nazi-Soviet Pact (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) was a non-aggression treaty signed on 23 August 1939. It included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, allowing Germany to invade Poland without fearing a Soviet attack from the east. This pact was crucial because it removed the threat of a two-front war for Germany, and it gave Stalin time to rearm and buffer territory. It directly led to the invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, which triggered Britain and France's declaration of war on 3 September.
    Examiner Tip: Explain the pact's terms, motives (for both Hitler and Stalin), and its immediate consequences. Link it to the outbreak of war and the start of WWII.
    Step-by-Step Worked Solutions

    Question: Explain why the policy of appeasement was followed by Britain and France in the 1930s. (6 marks)

    1. 1.Step 1: Define appeasement and state the context (post-WWI, fear of another war).
    2. 2.Step 2: Identify key reasons: memories of WWI, public opinion, economic depression, belief that Treaty of Versailles was unfair, fear of communism, and lack of military readiness.
    3. 3.Step 3: Provide specific examples: Rhineland (1936), Anschluss (1938), Munich (1938) to show how appeasement was applied.
    4. 4.Step 4: Conclude by linking to the goal of maintaining peace and avoiding a repeat of WWI.
    Final Answer: Appeasement was followed because Britain and France were determined to avoid another world war after the devastation of WWI. They were also economically weak due to the Great Depression and not militarily prepared. Many believed the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on Germany, so they saw some justification in Hitler's actions. Additionally, they feared the spread of communism and saw Hitler as a potential buffer. Examples include allowing the remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936) and the Anschluss with Austria (1938), culminating in the Munich Agreement (1938) which gave the Sudetenland to Germany.

    Question: How did the Nazi-Soviet Pact contribute to the outbreak of the Second World War? (6 marks)

    1. 1.Step 1: State the date and nature of the pact (23 August 1939, non-aggression treaty with secret protocol).
    2. 2.Step 2: Explain that it removed the threat of a two-front war for Germany, allowing Hitler to invade Poland without Soviet interference.
    3. 3.Step 3: Describe the secret protocol dividing Poland and Eastern Europe, which gave Stalin a buffer zone.
    4. 4.Step 4: Link to the invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 and the subsequent declarations of war by Britain and France on 3 September 1939.
    5. 5.Step 5: Conclude that the pact was a direct catalyst for the war, as it enabled Hitler's aggression and made war inevitable.
    Final Answer: The Nazi-Soviet Pact, signed on 23 August 1939, was a non-aggression treaty between Germany and the USSR. It included a secret protocol to divide Poland and Eastern Europe. This pact was crucial because it ensured that Germany would not have to fight a war on two fronts, as the USSR would remain neutral. This gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland on 1 September 1939. Britain and France, having guaranteed Poland's independence, declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, thus starting the Second World War.
    Active Recall Memory Test
    What were the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
    Key Fact: The main terms were: Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war (war guilt clause), pay reparations (6.6 billion), lose territory (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine to France), and have its military limited (army of 100,000, no air force, no submarines).
    Why did the League of Nations fail to stop Hitler's aggression in the 1930s?
    Key Fact: The League failed because it lacked the USA's membership, had no army, and its members were unwilling to use sanctions or force. Key failures include the Manchurian Crisis (1931) and the Abyssinian Crisis (1935), which showed that the League was powerless against aggressive nations.
    What was the Munich Agreement and why was it significant?
    Key Fact: The Munich Agreement (September 1938) was a meeting between Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, where they agreed to give the Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) to Germany in exchange for Hitler's promise to stop further expansion. It is significant because it was the peak of appeasement, but it failed to prevent war as Hitler broke his promise by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.
    What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact and why did it lead to war?
    Key Fact: The Nazi-Soviet Pact was a non-aggression treaty signed on 23 August 1939 between Germany and the USSR. It included a secret protocol to divide Poland. It led to war because it gave Hitler the confidence to invade Poland on 1 September 1939, without fear of Soviet attack, which triggered Britain and France's declaration of war on 3 September.
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Why did Britain and France declare war on Germany in 1939?
    Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 because Germany invaded Poland on 1 September. They had guaranteed Poland's independence in March 1939, after Hitler broke the Munich Agreement by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia. The invasion of Poland was the final straw, showing that Hitler could not be trusted, and they had to honour their commitment to Poland.
    What was appeasement and why did Chamberlain follow it?
    Appeasement was a policy of giving in to the demands of aggressive powers to avoid war. Chamberlain followed it because Britain was still recovering from WWI, public opinion was strongly against another war, and the British military was not ready. He also believed that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair and that Hitler's demands were reasonable. He hoped that by giving Hitler what he wanted, he would be satisfied and war could be avoided.
    How did the Treaty of Versailles cause World War II?
    The Treaty of Versailles caused resentment in Germany because it was harsh and humiliating. It forced Germany to accept blame for the war, pay huge reparations, lose territory, and have a small military. This created economic hardship and national humiliation, which Hitler exploited to gain support. He promised to overturn the treaty and restore Germany's power, which led to his aggressive foreign policy and eventually war.
    Why did the League of Nations fail to prevent World War II?
    The League of Nations failed because it lacked the support of major powers like the USA, had no military force, and its decisions were slow and ineffective. It was also undermined by the fact that members like Britain and France were more interested in their own interests than in collective security. The League's failures in the Manchurian and Abyssinian crises showed that it could not stop aggressive nations, which encouraged Hitler to take risks.
    What was the significance of the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
    The Nazi-Soviet Pact was significant because it removed the threat of a two-front war for Germany, allowing Hitler to invade Poland without Soviet interference. It also included a secret protocol to divide Eastern Europe, which gave Stalin a buffer zone. The pact was a shock because Nazi Germany and the USSR were ideological enemies, but it was a pragmatic move for both. It directly led to the invasion of Poland and the start of WWII.
    Was appeasement a mistake?
    Historians debate this. Some argue that appeasement was a mistake because it emboldened Hitler and allowed him to grow stronger, making war more likely. Others argue that it was a reasonable policy given the circumstances, as Britain and France were not ready for war and public opinion was against it. However, the failure of appeasement is clear: it did not prevent war, and by 1939 Hitler had gained significant territory and power. Ultimately, it is seen as a policy that failed to stop aggression and may have encouraged it.

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